[Recommended by locals] Introducing carefully selected souvenirs that you should definitely buy when you come to Kusatsu City

Kusatsu Tabimaru Dorayaki

Dorayaki filled with three types of bean paste: whole bean paste, white bean paste with chestnuts, and matcha bean paste.

This is the most popular product and the number one selling item at the Japanese confectionery shop "Matsuri Roho."

Price: 220 yen

Where to buy: Matsuri Shoho

Address: 525-0034

3-10-40 Kusatsu, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture

Ubagamochi

"Ubagamochi" is a specialty of Kusatsu-juku that has a history of about 450 years.

This is a Japanese sweet made of mochi rice made from Kusatsu-grown glutinous rice wrapped in sweet bean paste and topped with white bean paste and yam paste.

They are bite-sized and easy to eat.

Price: 350 yen for 6 tablets

Where to buy: ① Ubagamochiya Main Store, ② Ubagamochiya L'T Store, ③ Ubagamochiya Concourse Store

Address: ①〒525-0032

2-13-19 Oji, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture

②〒525-0032

1-1-1 Oji, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture

③〒525-0026

Shiga Prefecture, Kusatsu City, Shibukawa 1-1, Kusatsu Station

Amo

The thin skin and smooth "Tamba Dainagon Oazuki" bean paste encase soft habutae mochi.

In addition to whole bean paste, you can also enjoy a variety of other flavors such as smooth bean paste and seasonal flavors.

Price: 1,296 yen

Where to buy: Kanae Shojuan Kusatsu store

Address: 525-0026

Shiga Prefecture, Kusatsu City, Shibukawa 1-1-60

Uji Matcha Sandwich

This cake is made with fluffy sponge cake made with high-quality Uji matcha and rich, bittersweet matcha buttercream.

This is a sweet that I definitely recommend to matcha lovers.

Price: 1,380 yen for 3 pieces

Where to buy: Sennen no Kaori Senkien

Address: 525-0028

2-11-8 Kamikasa, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture

Omi beef curry

This is a hotel-exclusive Omi beef curry supervised by Executive Chef Tsunogaki, a gold medalist at the World Culinary Olympics.

The combination of tenderly stewed Omi beef and the aroma of spices is exquisite.

You can now enjoy Omi beef, one of Japan's three great wagyu beefs, in the comfort of your own home.

Price: 1,490 yen (1,200 yen direct from the hotel)

Purchase location: Hotel Boston Plaza Kusatsu Biwako

Address: 525-0037

1-27 Nishiojicho, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture

Retro Curry

It has a traditional taste with the subtle flavor of ginger and powdered Aobana, the city flower of Kusatsu City.

Price: 580 yen

Purchase location: Kusatsu Estopia Hotel

Address: 525-0037

4-32 Nishiojicho, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture

Tokaido Kusatsu Post Station Tenjo River

We use rice from Kusatsu City that is grown without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers.

This is a mellow, delicious sake with a hint of sweetness and a strong sour taste.

It is so popular that fans come from outside Kusatsu City to visit.

*You can also tour the sake brewery if you make a reservation.

Purchase location: Furukawa Sake Brewery

Address: 525-0053

1-3-33 Yagura, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture

Kusatsu Government

"Junmai Ginjo Kusatsu Masadokoro" is a sake made using "Aki no Uta" rice produced in Shiga Prefecture, and is characterized by its fruity flavor.

"Single-distilled shochu Daiginjo Kasutori shochu Kusatsu Masadokoro" is a shochu made from the sake lees of Daiginjo sake using "Yamada Nishiki" produced in Kusatsu City.

*The museum can also be visited (reservations required for groups).

Where to buy: Ota Shuzo Dokanzo

Address: 525-0034

3-10-37 Kusatsu, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture

The difference between sake and shochu

The clear difference between sake and shochu is how they are made. When classified by production method, sake falls into the category of "brewed alcoholic beverages" and shochu into the category of "distilled alcoholic beverages."

"Brewed alcohol" is alcohol made by fermenting grains or fruit with yeast, while "distilled alcohol" is alcohol made by "distilling" brewed alcohol.

There is also a big difference between sake and shochu in terms of the ingredients they use. Sake is made from rice, while shochu is often made from potatoes or grains.

Kusatsu ware

In Kusatsu, soil containing a large number of particles of various sizes and containing a lot of iron has been produced since ancient times.

The pottery made using this soil is called "Kusatsu ware."

It is heat and water resistant and can be used in the microwave. Its calming black and white tones make it easy to match with a variety of dishes.

*You can also experience pottery making if you make a reservation.

Purchased at: Kusatsu ware manufacturer, Omi Ceramic Art Research Institute

Address: 525-0044

686 Okamotocho, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture